REAL MADRID VS PARTIZAN: Wounded European Giants Host Undefeated Belgrade Side

Pulse Sports Team 16:31 - 08 October 2026

Partizan take on Real Madrid in EuroLeague Round 4 action at the WiZink Center in the Spanish capital, tipping off at 20:45 CET. Follow live updates and analysis on Sportal.

Partizan head to Madrid for their EuroLeague Round 4 clash boasting a perfect 3-0 record, while their hosts Real Madrid find themselves in an uncharacteristic 0-3 slump. Given the events of the summer and the general landscape of European basketball, few could have anticipated either scenario. An 0-3 start is problematic for any club, but when associated with Real Madrid, it is viewed by both their camp and the sporting public as an outright disaster.

Judging strictly by the numbers and performances since the season tipped off, the black-and-whites head to the Spanish capital as on-paper favorites. Yet, whether anyone can truly be considered a favorite in Madrid remains an open question—and we all know the answer.

That brings us to the familiar dynamic between predator and prey, power and circumstance. In professional sports, much like the wider world, brute force and institutional weight often outweigh pure narrative momentum.

Consequently, rather than seeing Partizan arrive as undisputed favorites carrying all the momentum, there is a lingering wariness of a powerhouse backed into a corner—one with only one objective left: to throw everything into preventing their crisis from deepening.

Madrid have not enjoyed an easy victory all season and remain winless in the EuroLeague. In the Spanish Liga Endesa, they faced Unicaja and Oviedo, scraping through both encounters. They edged Unicaja 89-87 before needing overtime to survive Oviedo 114-107. That latter contest—played just ahead of this European matchup—was tellingly highlighted not by the final margin, but by the staggering 48 free throws awarded to the giants. For Los Blancos, coming away without that victory was simply not an option, and they had to secure it by any means necessary.

They will bring that exact "whatever it takes" mentality into this clash—whether through trips to the stripe, psychological edge, or tactical gamesmanship. That is to be expected from a club with immense pedigree, legendary home-court dominance, and the relentless competitive DNA synonymous with Spanish powerhouse teams.

Following a Supercup triumph, Real's unexpected and unwelcome EuroLeague start took place entirely on the road. Now, the "Kings" return to their home court determined to restore their aura of invincibility—a familiar script seen many times before.

Partizan, therefore, have no choice but to bring maximum intensity, courage, heart, and smart decision-making. They have earned their current streak and cannot afford to let it be snapped by anything other than being outplayed on the court over 40 minutes.

While past precedents offer plenty of context, nothing is decided before tip-off. Partizan cannot treat their wounded hosts as easy prey. That explains why, despite having their best opportunity in years, nobody is rashly guaranteeing a Partizan road win in Madrid.

What Real Madrid Have—and What They Are Missing

From a tactical standpoint, new head coach Pedro Martínez clearly needs time to fully implement his system, yet underlying metrics indicate they are moving in the right direction and that their 0-3 record is not an accurate reflection of their true quality. Aside from the clash with Efes, their other two losses came in tight, down-to-the-wire finishes due to poor execution in the closing minutes rather than structural breakdown. Still, starting 0-3 puts massive pressure on the squad.

The team boasts solid offensive and defensive ratings, Walter Tavares and Gabriel Deck remain elite rebounders, and their perimeter shooting carries a constant threat. The foundation is there and on the verge of clicking, which will likely happen once they stabilize their pace and possession management.

Peñarroya: Real Madrid Are Much More Than Just Tavares

Aware of the circumstances, Partizan head coach Joan Peñarroya emphasized before departing Belgrade that looking merely at the 3-0 and 0-3 records would be naive.

"If we focus on the fact that they are 0-3 and we are 3-0, that already creates a major problem for us. First and foremost, we must remember they already won the Supercup at the start of the season and lifted a trophy. While they lost their first three EuroLeague games, all three were on the road against high-caliber playoff contenders like Hapoel and Dubai. For a club like Real Madrid, dropping three straight is unusual, making their home opener exceptionally important. They are a great team, loaded with talent, led by a top coach. Winning away is always tough, especially in Madrid. Nevertheless, we are prepared to compete hard and, if possible, take it down to the wire with a chance to win." — Joan Peñarroya

As in previous seasons, Edy Walter Tavares remains the focal point of Real Madrid's strength. Containing him solves a massive problem, but he is only one piece of the puzzle Partizan must prepare for.

"Edy Tavares is undeniably one of the most important and dominant big men in the EuroLeague over the last decade. He is a phenomenal rim protector who completely disrupts the opponent's offensive rhythm. However, Real is far more than just Tavares. They have a deep roster of experienced players with elite individual and physical traits. This season, they are trying to play considerably faster than last year. Tavares is definitely a key focus for our defense, but we must view Real as a complete collective. If we only concentrate on individuals, we will be in serious trouble." — Joan Peñarroya

Partizan's Unmatched Start

On the other side, Partizan have swept aside Olimpia Milano, Paris, and Bayern Munich—fueled by unburdened confidence, fierce determination, work ethic, and character.

Home or away, the venue has made little difference to the black-and-whites. Regardless of slow starts or tough stretches, they have stayed in the fight until the final buzzer. That resilience has propelled them to an undefeated record and completely reshaped external expectations compared to pre-season roster assessments.

With clearly defined roles, Carlik Jones stepping up as the on-court leader, and the creative freedom granted by coach Joan Peñarroya, any minor offensive dips have been compensated by gritty effort and stellar team defense. Partizan currently rank fourth in the league in defensive rating and lead the EuroLeague in steals with a remarkable 39 across three rounds.

Following an intense 11-day stretch, a strong team chemistry and winning identity are taking shape. Challenges remain, particularly with depth at the forward spots, but Partizan have navigated those shortages successfully so far.

Martínez: Their Winning Streak Is No Accident

Real Madrid's head coach acknowledged Partizan's defensive prowess while also highlighting what makes Belgrade's attack so dangerous.

"Partizan is a team that plays high-quality, aggressive defense. They are extremely physical, win a lot of loose balls, and stay highly active on that end. Offensively, they feature big men who can space the floor and knock down outside shots, while their guards possess immense scoring potential. They haven't reached this position by accident—they are beating everyone in front of them, have already claimed two road wins, and have had an outstanding start to the season." — Pedro Martínez

Martínez is counting on the home crowd's energy, warning that his side cannot afford even a single lapse in focus.

"We are looking forward to our first EuroLeague home game and playing in front of our fans. I expect a very demanding, tight contest that will go all the way to the end, as Partizan is a mobile squad that relies heavily on transition and fast breaks. We must stay locked in for all 40 minutes, maintain a high defensive standard, and capitalize on our own fast breaks while limiting their offensive output as much as possible." — Pedro Martínez

Injury Report

Real Madrid will be without the injured Usman Garuba and Gabriel Deck, while coach Martínez has not featured Olivier Sarr, Sergio Llull, or Max Shulga in EuroLeague action so far.

Partizan remain without longtime absentee Vanja Marinković, are missing Derek Willis, and have Lamar Stevens listed as questionable.